Other ethnic groups to participate in rallies

Asian, African, Haitian immigrants join the debate

Asian, African, Haitian immigrants join the debate

WASHINGTON Â? The recent demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of immigration supporters appeared to have one distinct face: Latino. But members of Asian, African, Haitian and other ethnic groups say that is an illusion that they will dispel by pouring out in large numbers at huge rallies planned for today.

Koreans said they will march in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, banging traditional protest drums. Chinese said they will parade out of Chinatowns in San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, led by marchers wearing colorful dragon costumes. Haitians said they will be heard in Miami and New York, and Africans said they will be among the tens of thousands who will gather at the Washington Monument.

A big majority of people living in the United States illegally Â? 80 percent Â? come from Mexico and Latin America. Another 13 percent are from Asia, Africa and other nations, and 6 percent are from Canada and Europe, according to a study by the Pew Hispanic Center.

But as Latino grass-roots organizations made their case in news conferences and organized protests that drew hundreds of thousands, other immigrant groups said they feared being ignored. At a recent Capitol Hill news conference to announce plans for today's marches and to show solidarity among immigrant groups, churches, unions and traditional civil rights groups, there were no Asians or West Indians and only one black representative, local union leader Emil Abate.

"All of what is happening around immigration reform in the country is not a Latino-originated movement at all," said Deepa Iyer, executive director of the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow, a national group based in Silver Spring, Md. "There are also Asian and African groups working together. From where I stand, I feel that our community is greatly invested in the issue."

Asian groups have become particularly concerned about immigration as the United States steps up its efforts to deport illegal Chinese and Korean immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security recently said that it is close to an agreement with China over the repatriation of about 39,000 Chinese immigrants. Korean activists said families have been torn apart when immigrant parents were deported while their American-born children remained in the United States.

Helen Gym of Asian Americans United in Philadelphia said Latinos are better organized, in large part because of their common language. Communicating with Asian groups is a daunting task.

In Washington, Chuks D. Eleonu, president of African-PAC, said his group contacted the Arlington, Va.-based Ethiopian Community Development Council this past week to help distribute fliers in English, Swahili and French and bring Africans to the Mall. Africans have also used word-of-mouth to connect.

Jocelyn McCalla, executive director of the National Coalition of Haitian Rights, said his group alone will bring about 2,000 Haitians to a rally at New York's Liberty State Park. He said that number does not include other Caribbean immigrants.